Recently, I declared Shadowgun the most impressive-looking game on the iPhone. Well, its reign at the top has been swiftly cut down by Infinity Blade 2. Furthermore, aside from looking absolutely jaw-dropping, it is also one of the most intuitive and playable games for the iPhone.

You are Siris, a Knight whose job it is to uncover the mystery of the titular blade, and travel across a dark and dynamic world filled with Tyrants and Titans. The environments are beautifully designed and varied, taking you from Asian-influenced pagodas to Draculean castles. The same goes for the creatures, which are gargantuan in scale and diverse in their looks and fighting styles.

Rather than move through the world completely at will, you stand around areas and pan the camera around them to discover alternate pathways, treasures and other goodies. The game is constantly cinematic, as moving from one area to the next always comes in the form of a cut-scene, which is often interrupted by some monstrosity bursting into your path. Indeed, one of the few flaws with this game is the predictable regularity with which you get attacked. There is little character development, and the game is effectively a series of increasingly difficult duels.

Thankfully, these encounters are a great spectacle and joy to play. The combat mostly relies on anticipating your enemy’s hits to dodge, block or parry accordingly. After successfully defending yourself, you can unleash deadly combos by swiping your finger, utilising the substantial arsenal of feudal weaponry at your disposal. The system is wonderfully responsive and makes for the most intense combat experience on the iPhone.

There are heavy weapons, light weapons and dual-wielders for you to choose from, all of which play very differently. The money you earn throughout the game can either be spent on these, or a wealth of mean-looking armour, magic rings or shields. The variety of unlockables means you can really tailor your character to your playing style.

Infinity Blade 2 is a cinematic, demon-slashing spectacle that once again shatters the perceived limitations of the iPhone as a powerful gaming system. The controls – both in movement and combat – are perfectly fitted for the iPhone’s touch-screen, and the visuals are a constant treat on the eyes. Surely iPhone games can’t get much better than this?

Quick Take

Value:High.

Would I Buy Again:Yes.

Learning Curve:Medium.

Who Is It For:People looking for a gritty, cinematic game experience.

What I Like:Stunning graphics and smooth combat.

What I Don't Like:Linear story.

Final Statement:One of the most immersive and refined games for the iPhone.

The God King has been defeated, an unlikely hero has emerged and now you must discover the truth behind the secrets of the Infinity Blade. The continuing journey of young Siris unfolds as you delve deeper into the world of the Deathless tyrants and their legion of Titans. Can you unlock all the mysteries and successfully wield the power of the Infinity Blade in this timeless swordplay adventure of champions and villains?

A Robust & Dynamic 3D World:
Explore beautiful and immersive environments that dynamically change over time during your travels and venture to exotic locations such as the Asian themed Saydhi’s Estate or the medieval inspired Vault of Tears featuring multiple paths to explore.

Featuring 3 All-New Styles of Combat:
Now you can choose from multiple classes of weapons, armor and spells, each with specialized capabilities such as Dual Wielding, Two-Handed and the standard Weapon & Shield class. Learn each discipline by using Infinity Blade II’s intuitive pick-up and play game play style that is easy to use, yet difficult to master!

The Secrets of Your Past Revealed:
Delve deeper into the fantastical story of Infinity Blade as your journey leads you to the realm of the mysterious Deathless Saydhi and discover the truth about the Worker of Secrets and the powers he holds.

The Latest in iOS features Powered by Unreal Technology:
The definitive visual experience in mobile gaming, complete with all-new iCloud support and HDMI output.

Notes:
- If you are experiencing technical issues with the App, please visit the Infinity Blade II support page at http://infinitybladegame.com/faq
- It is highly recommended that you upgrade your device to iOS 5.
- Parents: you can turn off In-App purchasing in the iOS settings.

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I'm an up-and-coming freelance writer (or so I like to think) specialising in film, apps and gaming. Aside from writing app reviews on what sometimes feels like a mass scale, I've also contributed work to The Independent and IGN.com, and am on the writing team of the popular Lifestyle blog, WhatCulture.com.
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